heparan-alpha-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase
Last updated 18 Aug 2020
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The HGSNAT gene provides instructions for producing an enzyme called heparan-alpha-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase (which is often shortened to N-acetyltransferase). This enzyme is located in lysosomes, compartments within cells that digest and recycle different types of molecules. N-acetyltransferase is involved in the step-wise breakdown (degradation) of large molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAGs are composed of sugar molecules that are linked together to form a long string. To break down these large molecules, individual sugars are removed one at a time from one end of the molecule. N-acetyltransferase adds a molecule called an acetyl group to the sugar glucosamine in a subset of GAGs called heparan sulfate. This addition prepares the GAG for the next step in the degradation process.
Normal function
The HGSNAT gene provides instructions for producing an enzyme called heparan-alpha-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase (which is often shortened to N-acetyltransferase). This enzyme is located in lysosomes, compartments within cells that digest and recycle different types of molecules. N-acetyltransferase is involved in the step-wise breakdown (degradation) of large molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAGs are composed of sugar molecules that are linked together to form a long string. To break down these large molecules, individual sugars are removed one at a time from one end of the molecule. N-acetyltransferase adds a molecule called an acetyl group to the sugar glucosamine in a subset of GAGs called heparan sulfate. This addition prepares the GAG for the next step in the degradation process.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
acetyl coenzyme A:alpha-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase
DKFZp686G24175
FLJ22242
FLJ32731
HGNAT
HGNAT_HUMAN
TMEM76
transmembrane protein 76
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Further reading and references
- heparan-alpha-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Fan X, Zhang H, Zhang S, Bagshaw RD, Tropak MB, Callahan JW, Mahuran DJ. Identification of the gene encoding the enzyme deficient in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC (Sanfilippo disease type C). Am J Hum Genet. 2006 Oct;79(4):738-44. doi: 10.1086/508068. Epub 2006 Aug 23.
- Feldhammer M, Durand S, Mrazova L, Boucher RM, Laframboise R, Steinfeld R, Wraith JE, Michelakakis H, van Diggelen OP, Hrebicek M, Kmoch S, Pshezhetsky AV. Sanfilippo syndrome type C: mutation spectrum in the heparan sulfate acetyl-CoA: alpha-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase (HGSNAT) gene. Hum Mutat. 2009 Jun;30(6):918-25. doi: 10.1002/humu.20986.
- Feldhammer M, Durand S, Pshezhetsky AV. Protein misfolding as an underlying molecular defect in mucopolysaccharidosis III type C. PLoS One. 2009 Oct 13;4(10):e7434. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007434.
- Hrebicek M, Mrazova L, Seyrantepe V, Durand S, Roslin NM, Noskova L, Hartmannova H, Ivanek R, Cizkova A, Poupetova H, Sikora J, Urinovska J, Stranecky V, Zeman J, Lepage P, Roquis D, Verner A, Ausseil J, Beesley CE, Maire I, Poorthuis BJ, van de Kamp J, van Diggelen OP, Wevers RA, Hudson TJ, Fujiwara TM, Majewski J, Morgan K, Kmoch S, Pshezhetsky AV. Mutations in TMEM76* cause mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC (Sanfilippo C syndrome). Am J Hum Genet. 2006 Nov;79(5):807-19. doi: 10.1086/508294. Epub 2006 Sep 8.
- Ruijter GJ, Valstar MJ, van de Kamp JM, van der Helm RM, Durand S, van Diggelen OP, Wevers RA, Poorthuis BJ, Pshezhetsky AV, Wijburg FA. Clinical and genetic spectrum of Sanfilippo type C (MPS IIIC) disease in The Netherlands. Mol Genet Metab. 2008 Feb;93(2):104-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2007.09.011. Epub 2007 Nov 19.
- Valstar MJ, Ruijter GJ, van Diggelen OP, Poorthuis BJ, Wijburg FA. Sanfilippo syndrome: a mini-review. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2008 Apr;31(2):240-52. doi: 10.1007/s10545-008-0838-5. Epub 2008 Apr 4.
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